Painting streams and rivers

Ashdown Forest

Oh my! What a Summer! All my plans went astray! Trying to coincide weather, destination and transport  failed! To most people this would be trivial but for me as an artist it has been very frustrating! On the other hand it has made me think. It's the first time in 10 years where the pictures in my head have not been obtainable . It's made me realize how easy it is to get stuck in a rut...the easy option. I've had to think harder to get what I want.
My first exploration was to Ashdown Forest. A wonderful area where the author AAMilne lived and wrote his Winnie the Pooh stories, Sounds great but in reality there's very little to offer an artist. Few focal points. So I explored. Heading to the village of Nutley I followed a path that lead me to the old mill stream, it's heritage from the iron works of the Sussex Weald. It was amazing! The tree lined stream, leafy reflections mixed with the glowing orange of iron ore was amazing!

                           "The Old Mill Stream" 

Painting the mill stream on Ashdown forest

 My next outing was very different and  took me to Shoreham by Sea. An interesting and diverse town. I headed towards the river , walking along the path beside the wonderful houseboats 

Shoreham by sea 

 I loved the view over the river where a small abandoned boat sat among the vegetation and bobbed in the tidal water....

                         "High tide and Riverside" 

Painting of an old boat on the river at Shoreham